Theater Guild. Child speaker at South Tacoma Community Center. c/o Mrs. Glastetter. Naomi J. (Mrs. Howard) Glastetter led a group of children in learning how to speak properly, wield a gavel and conduct meetings in groups called "Toast Tots", similar to Toastmasters for adults. L-R, Rex King, Dennis Reeves, Donna Vaaler, Rollin Eberly, Marilyn Parrott and shirley Larson. (T.Times, 7/5/1947, p.12)

South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; King, Rex; Reeves, Dennis; Vaaler, Donna; Eberly, Rollin; Parrott, Marilyn; Larson, Shirley;

Art Johnson, Lincoln High School linebacker, accepts his school's Most Inspirational individual trophy in a ceremony held at the South Park Community Center on January 14, 1953. Lt. Les Richter, an All-American from the University of California, congratulates Johnson. Harry Esborg, president of the South Tacoma Kiwanis Club, holds the imposing Inspirational Trophy which is given annually to the most worthy high school football player. (TNT 1-15-53, B-10)

Awards; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Kiwanis Club (Tacoma); Johnson, Art; Richter, Les; Esborg, Harry;

The South Tacoma Kiwanis club honored several junior high school award winners at their annual awards banquet held at the South Tacoma Community Center on May 26, 1954. Two plaques mounted on the wall behind the award recipients list previous sportsmanship winners. There are also two circular trophies with the giant letter "K' posted as well. Those winning inspirational and sportsmanship awards from Robert Gray and Dupont Junior Highs were: First row--Don Ranking (Gray), Sandra Bodin (gray), Glee Liddle (Gray), Beverly Latimer (Dupont), Jeanne Hardy (Dupont) and Scott Drysdale (Dupont). Back Row--Dr. Earl Bird, Wendell Laughbon, Dupont principal, Robert Gray (Dupont); Klaus Wills (Gray), Emory Whitaker, Gray principal, Steve Pease, Kiwanis club president and Herb Ford, club secretary. (TNT 5-27-54, D-5)

Awards; Plaques--Tacoma; South Tacoma Kiwanis Club (Tacoma);

Barn dance at South Tacoma U.S.O. Members of the 183rd band form a jazz orchestra to supply plenty of swing for the dance. The addition of straw hats to their uniforms gives them a country flair.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Military bands;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Dressed in Spanish costumes, a group of women serenade the audience.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

The supervisory staff of the Tacoma Playground Department's summer employees posed on the steps of the South Tacoma USO building. They are, left to right, Al Hodges, Bob Hager, Sigrid Bergerson, Maude Wing, John Heinrick and Walter Anderberg. (T.Times 6/22/1942 p.11)

Tacoma Metropolitan Park District (Tacoma); Recreation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Anderberg, Walter; Wing, Maude; Heinrick, John; Bergerson, Sigrid; Hodges, Al; Hager, Bob;

On June 20th, 1942, the supervisory members of the Tacoma summer playground staff posed in front of the South Tacoma USO building at 4851 South Tacoma Way. They are, left to right, Walter Anderberg, Maude Wing, John Heinrick, Sigrid Bergerson (seated), Al Hodges and Bob Hager. This group would be planning and supervising the summer activities offered at the USO through Tacoma's Metropolitan Parks. The USO building was acquired by the Metropolitan Park District in 1944 and is still in use. (T. Times 6/22/1942, pg. 11)

Tacoma Metropolitan Park District (Tacoma); Recreation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Anderberg, Walter; Wing, Maude; Heinrick, John; Bergerson, Sigrid; Hodges, Al; Hager, Bob;

Publicity for Community Chest. Open House at South Tacoma U.S.O. One uniformed military man appears to be sanding a long piece of wood. The other man holds one that is already sanded and sharpened and a pouch of arrows. The long pieces of wood may possibly be for fashioning into bows.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma);

A group of union and city officials gather on September 18, 1942 to light the new outdoor fireplace outside of the South Tacoma USO Club. The fireplace was being formally dedicated. It was built of donated time, materials and labor. Pictured left to right are Paul Lucht, John Meyers, serviceman Phillip K. Pohl. Kneeling on right- Nick Feldman Jr., A.J. Cecchi, John Lewtas. Standing behind- George Haggerty, John McClintock, F.E. Lehman and C.E. Rudd. (TNT 9/21/1942, pg. 5)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Fireplaces--Tacoma;

Flag raising at the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way, in July of 1942.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Flags; Flagpoles;

The flag is raised by visiting servicemen at the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way, on July 22, 1942. Publicity photo for Community Chest.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Flags; Flagpoles;

Publicity for Community Chest. Several servicemen and USO junior hostesses step up to the bat in a friendly game of softball in July of 1942 at the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Sports;

In July of 1942, several servicemen and a few USO junior hostesses join in a lively game of volleyball in the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO. Because of its unique location in a park, the South Tacoma USO was able to sponsor an outdoor sports program. Publicity for Community Chest. (TNT 8/2/1942, pg. A-7)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Volleyball; Sports;

Bette M. (Mrs. Vitor) Parber, left, and Mildred B. (Mrs. Harold) Keyser work on the set hanging curtains for the production of "You Touched Me", a comedy-drama by Tennessee Williams, to be presented by the Theatre Guild at the South Tacoma Community Center. The play was scheduled for November 30, December 1 and 2, 1950. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 11/26/1950, p.D-1)

South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma); Theatre Guild (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stage props; Parber, Bette M.; Keyser, Mildred B.;

ca. 1942. South end USO building shortly after it opened in 1942. The recreation center for servicemen was conceived and built just prior to the United States' entry into WWll. It offered both athletic and social activities in a serene park setting. In 1944 the building was turned over to Metropolitan Parks where it is still used as the South Park Recreation Center.

USO clubs (Tacoma); United Service Organizations (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma;

By January of 1942, the new USO center at 4851 South Tacoma Way in South Tacoma was finished. It was dedicated on February 7, 1942. It was one of two new USO centers built at a combined cost of $101,60; the other center was downtown at 13th and Fawcett. The building was essentially completed by December 23, 1941, fifty days after ground breaking; however, the dedication was delayed by the late arrival of furnishings and fittings. By January the United States had officially entered WWII and the new recreation center received a lot of use over the next few years. In 1944, the center was given to Metropolitan Parks for use as the South Park Recreation Center. (TNT 2/7/1942, pg. 1) TPL-10328

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Barn dance at South Tacoma U.S.O. Tacoma girls providing hostess duties wait on the sidelines for an offer to dance.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

The Tacoma Playground Department staff poses in front of the South Tacoma USO building, ready to start their summer work. They will be in charge of summer activities offered through Tacoma's Metropolitan Parks. (T.Times 6/22/1942 p.11- see caption for names)

Tacoma Metropolitan Park District (Tacoma); Recreation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In July of 1942, servicemen and USO junior hostesses line up in a picnic "chow line" after a busy afternoon playing outdoor sports. Due to its unique location in a park, the South Tacoma USO, at 4851 South Tacoma Way, was able to offer an extensive program of outdoor sports. Publicity for Community Chest.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma);

Mayor Harry P. Cain chats with three servicemen at the Community Chest Open House at the South Tacoma U.S.O.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In July of 1942, hungry boys and girls eagerly heap their plates at a picnic supper at the South Tacoma USO, following an exciting afternoon of paddle tennis, volleyball and archery on the grounds. Tacoma's USO Jr. hostesses were charged with providing morale boosters for soldiers in town, not only as dance partners but also by taking enthusiastic part in sports and hobbies. (TNT 8/2/1942, PG. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Picnics--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On September 18, 1942, Tacoma officials and South Tacoma residents gathered for the Dedication Ceremony for the new outdoor fireplace and Barbecue pit outside of the South Tacoma USO Club. The fireplace was built with donated money, materials and labor from a design by Silas E. Nelson, architect. Pictured at the ceremony are, left to right, John Lewtas, Bricklayers Union; Paul Lucht, Cement Finishers and Plasterers Union; South Tacoma USO Director Eva Hancock, Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain, and John Meyers, Northern Pacific Railway shops. On the floor is mascot "Taffy." (T. Times 9/21/1942, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Fireplaces--Tacoma; Lewtas, John; Lucht, Paul; Hancock, Eva; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meyers, John;

Publicity for Community Chest. Several servicemen and USO junior hostesses step up to the bat in a friendly game of softball in July of 1942 at the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Sports;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. People in costume; military band on bandstand.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Two guitar players wearing sombreros serenade the audience.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Four young women carry baskets of cut flowers while two soldiers look on. They are standing behind large urns full of flowers and a bird bath.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Three soldiers gather around while a young woman reads the palm of another soldier.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Fortune telling--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A large group outside the Tacoma Metropolitan Park District Recreation Department at the Community Center on South Tacoma Way. These are the individuals chosen to serve as leaders for the summer 1947 parks and recreation programs. Names listed in newspaper. (T.Times, 6/24/1947, p.7)

Tacoma Metropolitan Park District (Tacoma); Recreation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community centers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950;